Twenty-two-year-old Ciaran Martin from Co. Monaghan is about to take on the challenge of the WorldSkills competition, being held at the RDS in Dublin.
Motoring technology skills
Martin is a Volkswagen apprentice, and he’ll be putting his motoring technology skills to the test in a contest which will pick the best of the best to represent Ireland in the WorldSkills Olympics in Shanghai 2026. “Competing in front of so many people adds pressure but I have been training for this day for the last four years and I can’t wait to show the judges what I can do,” says Martin.
WorldSkills is a global competition that puts the best young practitioners from across a range of sectors, from catering and construction to automotive, head-to-head to find the best of the best.
Martin will get the chance to showcase his talents, diagnosing mechanical problems and solving complex problems against the clock. As Volkswagen Group Ireland puts it: “At a time of unprecedented change in the automotive industry, Martin is one of the shining lights of a new generation of technicians that will ensure the wheels keep turning in the digital age of e-mobility.”
State of the art
Volkswagen Group Ireland has been a supporter and sponsor of the WorldSkills Automobile Technology Competition Sponsor for the past three years running. The carmaker coordinates apprenticeship programs through its state-of-the-art National Learning Centre in Dublin, where technicians complete a four-year apprenticeship. The VW Group also supports TU Dublin and TUS’s Access to Apprenticeships initiative, which was set up in 2018 and helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into apprenticeships. Apprentices who come through Volkswagen’s dealer network, receive training at Volkswagen Group’s National Learning Centre (NLC) located in west Dublin, where they get access to state-of-the-art facilities and vehicles from its six brands - Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, Skoda, SEAT and Cupra.
Head of Group Technical Service at Volkswagen Group Ireland, Vicky Halton, says; “The automotive industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by advances in technology plus a shift towards EVs and sustainable practices in the automotive industry. This evolution presents incredible opportunities for those entering the field, especially through apprenticeships that provide hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge. At Volkswagen Group Ireland, we believe that fostering young talent is essential to the future of our industry. The skills and expertise developed through competitions like these are invaluable, offering participants a strong foundation for a rewarding and dynamic career in the sector. We're excited to support this event, and to showcasing the exciting opportunities that a career in the automotive industry can offer."
Engine fundamentals
Martin is now in the last month of his apprenticeship, and he’s keen to show off all that he’s learned. “During secondary school, I started learning about cars and was fascinated by how they worked,” he says “My mind was blown by things like engine fundamentals, suspension systems and gearboxes and I needed to know more. I started working for a local mechanic, Richie Ashfield, on Saturdays and in the evening after school. I absolutely loved it.”
Martin moved to Skoda Dealership Doran Motors, Carrickmacross where he developed a passion for vintage Japanese sports cars and Volkswagen Group hot hatches like the Cupra Leon and Volkswagen Golf R. “When I started out, I was clueless,” he says “But, I work with a great bunch of lads who always help me whenever there’s something I don’t know. I started watching YouTube videos and reading books in my own time, just to get a bit more knowledge around cars. The rest is history.”
Although his career is still in its infancy, Martin is focused on one day becoming a master technician with a specialisation in electric vehicles. Becoming a qualified high voltage technician, at a time when the automotive industry is pivoting towards increasing electrification, will ensure his services are always in demand. “I’m a petrolhead but I’m fascinated by electric vehicles,” he says “It’s the perfect time to be involved in the motor trade. The industry is massive and there is so much going on. I feel like I have come into it at just the right time.”